Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?

Subject: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,limulus
Date: 16 Feb 23 - 03:47 AM

Anyone got any more ballads where a canny young woman leads a man on (or lets him draw his own lecherous conclusions) and subsequently robs him of his horse/money/weapons/clothing and rides off as a (richer) still-maiden? Along the lines of:
The Crafty Maid's Policy
Broomfield Wager/Hill
The Maid on the Shore
Lovely/Handsome Joan
The Highwayman Outwitted/Farmer's Crafty Daughter
The Baffled Knight
Martinmas Time

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: The Doctor
Date: 21 Feb 23 - 05:52 AM

There are plenty of these songs, and many are just variations of the above. The Two Magicians is a variant of Broomfield Hill. The Baffled Knight I'm not familiar with, but it sounds as if it could be a variant of The Outlandish Knight. In Young Maidenhead the girl actually has a baby, but sells it to a hopeful 'sportsman'. The Oyster Girl is similar. I learned Blow away the Morning Dew at Junior School. It was all about helping a little girl to gather flowers in her apron. BNot until I had grown up did I didscover that it wasn't.

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Felipa
Date: 21 Feb 23 - 05:25 PM

do the songs in which women outwit would be seducers or even killers count? Songs like Eppie Morrie (child 223) or Lady Isabel and the Elfin Knight/False Lover John/ May Colvin (Child 4).

What about Sovay, where the woman dresses as a highwayman and tries to rob her lover of a ring in order to test his fidelity?

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,D. Kingsley Hahn
Date: 21 Feb 23 - 07:37 PM

One of my favorites I originally heard on Pete Seeger's 1961 LP "Story Songs" on Columbia. It's called "Monongahela Sal" (written by Robert Schmertz), and is a really delightful "spurned lover's revenge" song. The whole album is superb (recorded at the Village Gate, as I remember); and I seem to recall that it had been recorded the same evening that Pete had been convicted of contempt of Congress from back in 1955, before HUAC.

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 28 Feb 23 - 09:27 AM

Monongahela Sal onYouTube     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3RyTMcgptk

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 28 Feb 23 - 10:11 AM

A sailor led a dangerous life at sea. There was only one place where he faced greater risks, and that was ashore. In these songs, the maidens make liberal use of alcohol.

Barracks Street/Patrick Street, where a sailor is cheated out of his pay.

In 1874, James Greenwood published his account of a visit to Tiger Bay in East London;
"But can you direct me to the neighbourhood the newspapers have spoken of as Tiger Bay?" I mildly insinuated, "The locality where sailors are so shamefully used by ruffianly men and women."
"Oh! if she-tigers make Tiger Bays, you haven't got far to travel," replied the Policeman, yielding slightly; "That's one, and two turn-ins higher up there's another. Brunswick Street is another. Brunswick Gardens is a goodish bit further up - little prayer-meeting place at the corner of it. P'raps that's the Tiger Bay you want. I'd rather you want it than me. They'd have the hair off a man's head if they could get a penny a pound for it."

Wild Tiger Bay by Henry Peacock

Tune; The Limerick Rake. Also used for Champion at Keeping Them Rolling (MacColl), High Sheriff of Hazard (Paxton) and Cold Coast of Iceland (Waterson).

We sail by the day and we sail by the night
We all give a cheer when land comes into sight
If there’s peril at sea, then there’s pleasure ashore
Pretty girls beckon to us from every door

Now Jack’s in a tavern, happy as he can be
A glass in his hand and a girl on his knee
Buy us another, Jack, sing us a song
Alas, cries poor Jack, All my money is gone

Then give me your jacket, I’ll pawn it for you
To buy you a drink, that’s the least I can do
Take off your waistcoat and hand it to me
To pay for a sailor who’s out on a spree

I’ll have all his clothes when the evening is through
And if I could sell it, I’d take his skin too
With claws like a tiger, she strips poor Jack bare
And without a glance backward leaves Jack lying there

In the cold morning, Jack wakes in the street
No shirt on his back and no boots on his feet
He set out so proudly but now he must crawl
Back to his ship wearing nothing at all

Far out at sea he will face the great gales
Out on the yardarm to take in the sails
The wind and the waves they may wash him away
But he’s still safer there than in wild Tiger Bay

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 28 Feb 23 - 11:44 AM

Female Highwayman, The [Laws N21] from The Ballad index     https://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/LN21.html
MUDCAT DT :THE FEMALE HIGHWAYMAN   /mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=18026#177282

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Mar 23 - 10:07 AM

The Whitby Maid (or Maid of Whitby)
Three Drunken Maidens (I think they got the men to pay the bill for their imbibing!)

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Felipa
Date: 02 Mar 23 - 11:20 AM

the sailor thinks he's getting a bargain but ...
Quare Bungle Rye
Basket of Eggs

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Mar 23 - 11:34 AM

Coope Boyes and Simpson singing Polly on the Shore (Lester Simpson)

So you can think that she's your Polly on the shore,
She'll be your mother or your sister or your whore,
She'll be waving till you're safely out of view,
Then she's looking for another sailor, gullible as you.

And even better with those harmonies!

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Anglogeezer
Date: 02 Mar 23 - 03:25 PM

Here's one from mudcatter 'Molly'; from her own mudcat thread of the 18 August 2005. I tried to make a 'blue clicky' but it didn't work so here's the words.

..................................

THE WISER MAID
(Harpmolly)

I am a maid-in-waiting, for my Johnny I do pine,
And though for seven years he's gone, he lingers in my mind;
I have put off all suitors gay, all lords and men of might,
And spend my days upon the shore, his returning ship to sight.

It happened then one evening, as I walked out alone,
A handsome youth approached me beneath the setting sun.
He bowed with courtly manners, he offered me his hand,
And asked if I might walk with him along the white sea-strand.

"O, you are not the first to ask, neither the first refused;
For seven years have lords and poets sought me as their Muse.
But I am not at liberty to walk with any man
Until my true-love John returns from his long ship's command."

"The sailor's life is dangerous," this young man said to me,
"For storms do rage, and waves do toss the ship upon the sea;
What if your love be drowned and lost, and all his vows the same?
Will you then wait forever here, your hope a dying flame?"

"My hope will never die," I cried, "and steadfast shall I stay;
Despite your sweet and honeyed words, you'll not draw me away.
If my dear love be drowned and lost, then likewise I shall be,
And gladly will I lie with him beneath the deep blue sea."

"Your faith is true," he slyly said, "and this I well admire,
But could it be that seven years have caused his own to tire?
What of this John you love so well? What word do you receive?
For surely he'll have written you of his brave, noble deeds?"

Upon these words I must confess a tear I did let fall;
For of my John for seven years I'd had no word at all.
But bravely I did smile, and said, "His letters they are long,
And of his love I am assured; he'll never do me wrong."

When this deceit had passed my lips I blushed and dropped my gaze;
But what I saw when next I looked, my eyes it did amaze!
Gone was his cloak, his feathered cap; gone was his satin glove;
And handsome John before me stood, his eyes ablaze with love.

"My precious jewel, my lovely Molly, now I can breathe free--
For seven years my only fear was your forsaking me.
I know you've waited long, my love, and long it's felt to me;
But you have passed the test, and now it's married we will be!"

O, then he clasped me in his arms and kissed me long and sweet;
And on my finger slipped a ring with gold and gems replete.
"O, what say you, my dear?" quoth he, "shall we to chapel go?"
I bent my lips unto his ear and sweetly answered, "No."

Then at his feet I threw the ring, my temper mounting strong,
"For shame!" I cried, "and twice for shame, to do me such a wrong!
For seven years I've languished here while you at sea did play,
And now you seek to test my love--how well I am repaid!"

My Johnny has gone back to sea, his tears and pleas in vain;
And I have made a handsome match, a far more tender man.
My husband he is rich and young, he's honest, fair and wise;
He values me above the sun, and NEVER tells me lies!
...........................................................
A performance by Molly on U-tube here :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk3MLLjMHjc


Jake

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 04 Mar 23 - 09:07 AM

The Wiser Maid - Molly Bauckham on U-tube     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk3MLLjMHjc

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Mar 23 - 03:13 PM

Oyster Girl
Maggie May

I wouldn't call then or any of the previous ones maidens though :-D

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 06 Mar 23 - 09:22 PM

William Taylor
Lady Isabel & the Elf Knight (Child #4)

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 07 Mar 23 - 12:23 PM

The Farmer and the Maid by Henry Peacock, to the tune of The Man in the Moon
From a story of Jack Beeforth of Wragby Farm, Whitby, told to Dave Hillery

A farmer he goes to the Martinmas Fair
To see the farm workers who all gather there
Lass, ista for hiring? Hasta got a strong arm?
Says the lass, I can do onnything on a farm!

Chorus; Well you may be a farmer, you may milk the cow
But in this rough world we must rub along now
Wherever you go and whatever you do
In all of your dealings be honest and true

Well, thou looks a good lass, where were you last year?
Says the lass, Wi’ t’feller as stands over theer
Now, if he will put in a good word for thee
I’ll hire thee this year, tha can come wham wi’ me

Chorus

So the lass she steps over to get a good word
Nay, says her old master, Lass, have you not heard?
You don’t want to go wi’ ‘im and mek a new home
He’ll hunger thee and work thee reet dahn to the bone

Chorus

So the lass she goes back to the farmer again
Have you got a good word, lass? the farmer says then
Nay, says the lass, I’ve not got one for me
But he’s told me to never go working for thee!

Chorus

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 07 Mar 23 - 10:23 PM

Get up and bar the door (CHILD 275)
Walter Lesley (Child 296)
Father Grumble

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 12 Mar 23 - 11:19 PM

The Crockery Ware
fragment (italics) from Carrie Grover, Gorham Maine 10/29/1943 recorded by Eloise Hubbard Linscott #328A
Tune almost identical to one collected by Dr Edward Ives from Linus Christopher, Tignish PEI Canada August 26, 1965
Additional lyrics from various other traditional sources

A young man lived in Belfast town and he courted a girl called Sally Brown
A young man lived in Belfast town and he courted a girl called Sally Brown
He asked her for a favour bright that he might sleep with her all night

Chorus
To me right fa la to me toor aye ah
Right fa la to me toor aye ay

Well this fair maid gave her consent and straight up to her room she went
Well this fair maid gave her consent and straight up to her room she went
And on the landing placed a chair and under the chair was the crockery ware


That young man he got up in the night looking for his heart’s delight
That young man he got up in the night looking for his heart’s delight
He stubbed his toe upon the chair and overturned the crockery ware


Her mother woke in a terrible fright and ran upstairs with the candle light
Her mother woke in a terrible fright and ran upstairs with the candle light
She says, "Young man what do you there a-breaking all my crockery ware?"

He said, "Old woman don't look so cross I missed my way and I fear I'm lost
He said, "Old woman don't look so cross I missed my way and I fear I'm lost
I missed my way and I do declare, I broke me toe on your crockery ware"


Now this young maid in bed did lie, Laughing at the trick that she had played
Now this young maid in bed did lie, Laughing at the trick that she had played
She said, "Young man I do declare, You’ll pay my mother for the crockery ware!"


The police were sent for right away, And, sure enough, he had to pay
The police were sent for right away, And, sure enough, he had to pay
A dollar for the broken chair, And one pound ten for her crockery ware


Come all you rambling roving sparks, Who go a-courting in the dark
Come all you rambling roving sparks, Who go a-courting in the dark
Don’t stub your toe against a chair Or you will fall in the crockery ware

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 14 Mar 23 - 04:57 PM

The Blarney Roses

Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?
It might be down in Limerick town, it might be in Mayo
It's somewhere in the Emerald Isle and this I want to know
Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses grow?

There's roses in Killarney and there's some in County Clare
But upon my word, the roses, lads, I can't find anywhere
She blarneyed me, for by the power, she left me broke, you know
Did the damsel that belonged to where the Blarney Roses grow

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 17 Mar 23 - 12:11 PM

Friar in the well - Brass Monkey

LFF

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 17 Mar 23 - 09:51 PM

A favorite of mine is Fairport Convention's The Naked Highwayman.

Gary

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: saulgoldie
Date: 20 Mar 23 - 09:38 AM

"Cruel War" by Peter, Paul and Mary

The Cruel War is raging, Johnny has to fight
I want to be with him from morning to night.
I want to be with him, it grieves my heart so,
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no.

Tomorrow is Sunday, Monday is the day
That your Captain will call you and you must obey.
Your captain will call you it grieves my heart so,
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no.

I'll tie back my hair, men's clothing I'll put on,
I'll pass as your comrade, as we march along.
I'll pass as your comrade, no one will ever know.
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no.

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny, I fear you are unkind
I love you far better than all of mankind.
I love you far better than words can e're express
Won't you let me go with you?
Yes, my love, yes.
Yes, My Love, Yes.

Saul

Subject: RE: Crafty/clever/cunning maiden songs?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Mar 23 - 10:30 AM

The toon o ~Kelso by the Corries about the downfall of such a woman.